Widespread flu claims another life, hitting schools

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Raleigh, N.C. — One person in North Carolina died from the flu last week, according to data released Thursday by the state Department of Health and Human Services.

Five people, including two children, have died from the flu during the current season, which began in October. The person that died last week was between the ages of 50 and 64, but no other information about the person was available.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says North Carolina is one of the most active states for the flu in the nation. Fourteen states have reported widespread cases of the flu, meaning flu cases have been confirmed in more than half of a state.

Area parents say the flu has hit hard in schools. Some Wake County schools reported unusually high absences Thursday, while others said absenteeism was at normal December levels.

In Cherokee County, in the southwestern corner of North Carolina, all 14 schools closed a day early for the holiday break because of a growing number of flu cases among the 3,600 students. The district's Facebook page says the extra day off "will give our custodians, teachers and bus drivers the opportunity to clean and disinfect the buildings – and the germs time to die."

At WakeMed in Raleigh, officials reported 217 confirmed cases of the flu since Dec. 1.

jughead25Dec 19, 2014

The school system that closed early for the holidays in response to the flu trends should receive a pat on the back. That is a tough call to make but well worth it.

Judy FergersonDec 18, 2014

Simply Hans - some people took the flu shots and still had the H1N1 flu like me - glad I got the shot because I honestly believe had I not it would have taken me on home

Alex StephensDec 18, 2014

Going to www.flu.nc.gov I read these are lab confirmed flu deaths.

Alex StephensDec 18, 2014

Did they die from the flu or were they presumed to die from the flu? Was the diagnosis based on confirmed lab samples or does the number include anyone who died whose symptoms included respiratory distress?

Ty RammsteinDec 18, 2014

107 people died in NC form the flu in NC last year. that is tragic but evidently not a big deal as i did not see it in the media 24/7 like ebola. but have you noticed...? since the election is over the ebola hype, once fueled by the media and fear mongers in the GOP has gone away. just 6 weeks ago one could not escape the ever preset stories and ads telling us ebola was going to be used by terrorists and that mexican immigrants had eboal and were coming our way. now nothing. and now 5 people in NC have died from the flu.much more than died form ebola in the ENTIRE USA and we hardly care...or hear about it..makes a thinking mind wonder...

rushbotDec 18, 2014

We had a neighbor whose 8 year old child has the flu with a fever of 105 degrees which they can't get below 101 degrees with treatment. The parents do not believe in flu vaccinations, and did not get one for their child.

Simply HansDec 18, 2014

GET you shots people!

Obama-in-2016Dec 18, 2014

OMG NOOOOO!!!!!

bige9999Dec 18, 2014

Since I complained last year about the lack of demographic info in this type of article, I should thank you WRAL for including some of the info now. So...thanks!!